The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office has investigated 9 homicides this year; 4 of them remain open.

 “The most recent shooting happened a week ago here on Corrine Street in New Iberia where a man was shot and left to die in the street.

Toussaint Johnston Jr was killed the night of June 27th.

Eight days have passed and law enforcement still has no suspects.

Community activist and Evangelist Donovan Davis says residents have to step up to reduce crime in their community.

“We need community policing. More people have to come forward and give information to help the police solve crimes,” he explains

And the Sheriff’s Department agrees.

Major Wendell Raborn says, “Residents aren’t talking, and witnesses to the crimes refuse to give us pertinent information in the case.”

Johnson’s death marked the 9th homicide in the parish this year, it’s the 4th unsolved,
and the 8th in the city of New Iberia.

Davis says the numbers scary and the youth lack positive role models and resources.

“We need civic leaders, and church leaders and business leaders to come together and form a federation and pool resources together so we can build faith-based programs,” Davis explains.

The sheriff’s office is making an effort to improve community relations and now with the New Iberia police back in action residents should become more familiar with who’s patrolling their streets. 
It’s also worth mentioning, since the NIPD’s launch, no shootings have been reported.